Totally Rethinking Church

Part 1

Stepping "Out of the Box"

By Myron Horst

(Note: The purpose of these articles on Totally
Rethinking Church is not to incite a rebellious attitude against
the established church or encourage an elitist attitude; but to
stimulate your thinking to look at the Scriptures and evaluate
the church, so that you can help make the church more like Christ
would have us to be.)

Millions of Christians in the last several years
have been totally rethinking what "church" is and are looking for
a deeper relationship with Christ. A spiritual revolution and
revival is quietly sweeping across America led by the Spirit of
God, not human leadership. For a rapidly growing number of
Christians, a local church building is no longer the place to go
for their primary church meeting place. Since 2000, millions of
believers are leaving local congregations and are meeting in
house churches according to a poll from the Barna Group
(www.barna.org). In 2000, most of the organized religious
activity took place at or through a local church. By 2005, more
than 50 million people practiced their faith through a variety of
different faith models. On any given week in 2005, 9% of all
adults in America participated in a house church!

Most of the people now meeting in house churches
are doing so because they have a desire to have a deeper
relationship with Christ, and have had to leave the
congregational, building based church to satisfy that need. These
people have a heart's desire to be the church, rather than merely
go to church, according to the Barna Group poll.

In stepping "out of the box" of the traditional
building based church, we have the opportunity to totally rethink
how the church should be. Many of the aspects that Christians
have come to assume to be a normal part of what a church is, and
what a church should be like, don't have a specific basis in
Scripture. In fact, some aspects are the exact opposite of
Scriptural direction. Often when people leave a church and start
another, they create another church with much the same same
format as the one they left. The leadership is different, and
some of the "issues" are practiced differently, but many of the
humanly designed aspects of the church usually remain unchanged.
True spiritual revival does not occur, and the new church soon
becomes another "average" congregation. It was only after our
family got "out of the box" of the traditional church structure
for several years, that God was able to help us begin to see His
design for the church.

There is much more to be learned and understood
about God's design for the Church and for people being fed
spiritually. It is important that we do not go back in history
and pick out a group of people who appear to have had the results
that we desire and follow their example. That is an error of
conservatism. Even the New Testament Church was made up of human
beings like ourselves who also lacked complete understanding of
what God's complete design is for the Church. Instead we need to
look at the Scriptures and find out exactly what God's design is
and follow that. We can look at history and other groups and
learn from the things that they did in following God's design in
a particular area and learn from their success and mistakes, but
our primary focus needs to be on looking at God's design.

The church-building-based church most commonly
found in the United States is not based on God's design for the
church or on instruction given to us in Scripture. The local
church has evolved over the last almost 2000 years from the house
churches of the New Testament to a design, format, and money
consuming facility that for many aspects of what the church is
and its activities, does not have a basis in Scripture. The
following are some of the things found in many building-based
churches that don't have directives in the Bible. Some of these
items are not sin and are not particularly wrong, but are
included to show how much of what we associate as being an
expected part of the church is man's design and is not found in
the Bible.

A special building called a "church" which is the center of
spiritual life for the congregation.

Denominational affiliation

Church membership

Connecting baptism with church and denominational
membership

The pastor hired as an employee of the congregation

An elevated pulpit

The pastor having a title such as Doctor, Reverend, and
Pastor

Bible School or Seminary education for pastors

The arrangement of benches or chairs in rows facing the
elevated pulpit

Special seating, parking, and or dress giving honor to the
pastor

Sunday School - age graded classes for children

Age segregated adult groups

Youth Groups

Children's Church

A nursery

A Christian School

Entertainment - music, drama, videos, etc.

Music styles borrowed from the world and used for worshipping
God

Sports - a gym, organized ball teams, etc.

Church Growth emphasis

Feedlot-style spiritual feeding

You could probably add a few more
items to this list. In looking over this list, much of what
defines what the conventional church is, how people are fed
spiritually, and how money is spent by the church, is not found
in Scripture. It is man's design for the church, not God's
design.

This discussion about totally rethinking church is
not to aid those who are reactionary, or those who are rebelling
against the traditional church. It is an endeavor to identify
those areas of the church that are not instructed in God's Word
so that we can make changes that make the church as much like God
would have us to be as we can. Our desire is to follow Christ
with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Let's look at each of these areas in more
detail:

A special building called a "church" which is the
center of spiritual life for the congregation.

We as Christians are the church. The real church is
not church buildings, programs, and activities that take place in
a building called a "church". However, with the focus on church
buildings today, church for many is attending the meetings in the
church building. The view by many is if a person does not attend
some of the meetings in the church building, they are viewed as
beginning to grow cold spiritually.

God does not command or instruct in the New
Testament that a congregation should have a special building
called a church, where the church meets. Even in the Old
Testament, when God commanded the Israelites to build the
Tabernacle (and later when they built the temple), there was only
one building for millions of people. All the people did not
gather to worship at the Temple every Sabbath. Those gathered for
worship at the Temple, worshipped outside the Temple under the
open sky, not inside. For many, the Temple was a day's journey or
more away. One example is Jesus and his parents when He went to
the temple at age 12. It took them three days to get there. The
Jews developed the local synagogue, but it was man's design. God
did not command or instruct them to build synagogues.

The use of the word "church" for the building where
a congregation meets is unfortunate because it subconsciously
confuses the building with the real Church, the body of
believers. Many emphasize "going to church" rather than on being
the Church and being a part of the Kingdom of Christ. Attending
meetings in the church building is often equated with a person's
spiritual commitment. You often hear things like "Is he still
going to church?" or "they are no longer going to church". The
implication of those comments or questions is on whether the
person is faithful in their Christian life or not. For many
congregations, the majority of the spiritual life of the
congregation centers around attending meetings in that
building.

The term used today, "unchurched", does not refer
to unbelievers per se, but to those who do not attend meetings in
a church building.

In looking at the Church through history, the
Church was vibrant and grew rapidly when the believers met in
homes. For example: The New Testament Church, the Anabaptists of
the 1500's, the underground church in communist Russia, and today
in China. Even today one of the fastest growing denominations,
the Amish, meets in homes. The cell group concept, used for
church growth by large congregations, owed much of its success to
people meeting in homes.

Denominational affiliation

God does not command denominational affiliation. We
have seen several different statistics showing between 27,000 and
33,000 Christian denominations as of 2001. The proliferation of
denominations and the multitude of splits and divisions within
denominations are in direct disobedience to God's command that we
all speak the same thing and have the same doctrine and judgment.
Participation in denominational affiliation and practices is
unwise and is destructive to Christ's Kingdom, as God clearly
tells us in the following passages:

1 Corinthians 1:10-13 Now I beseech you, brethren,
by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same
thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be
perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same
judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my
brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are
contentions among you. 12 Now this I say, that every one of you
saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of
Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were
ye baptized in the name of Paul?

Today we hear: I'm a Baptist, I'm a Methodist, I'm
a Presbyterian, or I'm an Anabaptist, etc. However, we are not
baptized in the name of a denomination, but in the name of
Jesus.

1 Corinthians 3:4-15 For while one saith, I am of
Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? (5) Who
then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye
believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? (6) I have planted,
Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. (7) So then neither
is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God
that giveth the increase. (8) Now he that planteth and he that
watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward
according to his own labor. (9) For we are laborers together with
God, ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. (10)
According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise
masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth
thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
(11) For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which
is Jesus Christ. (12) Now if any man build upon this foundation
gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; (13) Every
man's work shall be made manifest for the day shall declare it,
because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try
every man's work of what sort it is. (14) If any man's work abide
which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. (15) If
any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he
himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Insights:

Being a follower of a denomination is carnal (v.4).
There are people who are part of a denomination who are followers
of Christ, and are not followers of the denomination. Those
people are not carnal. But being a follower of a denomination
hinders a person's spiritual maturity and understanding. It
creates divisions, envying, and strife. This is why commands and
doctrines of man, while appearing to have wisdom in helping to
keep Christ's commands are foolish. People become followers of a
denomination and their focus is on its doctrine.

We are totally complete in Christ. We must not follow the
commands of men, doctrines of men, or theologies of men or a
denomination to try to be complete in Christ. Following the
philosophy, traditions, or wisdom of a man or denomination does
not make a person more spiritual or better able to be a Christian
- Colossians 2:8-10 "Beware lest any man spoil you through
philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the
rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (9) For in him
dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. (10) And ye
are complete in him, which is the head of all principality
and power:"

The current emphasis on church growth is carnal because it
focuses on drawing people to a pastor or a certain church.

V. 7: the size of a pastor's church does not mean that he is
anything. He is not a better Christian because he has a larger
church, nor is he more successful. It may be that he is more
"successful" in leading people astray down the broad road instead
of up the narrow way. We need to always remember that numbers are
not a proof of success in a church.

Denominational affiliation or
conference affiliation is often viewed as wise because it
provides accountability to a larger group. However,
accountability is often more of a theoretical ideal then an
actual safety net. In modern times, rather than accountability,
it is more likely for the leadership of a denomination or
conference to lead a large group of churches down the wrong path
in disobedience to God's Word in a particular area.

Church membership

Congregational membership, as practiced in most
building-based churches today is not instructed in Scripture.
Church membership usually means joining an organization in
addition to the Kingdom of Christ. Often church membership
includes accepting certain practices, applications, and beliefs
that are not specifically stated that way in Scripture. For
example: a specific mode of baptism; requirment of speaking in
tongues; specific styles of dress; adherance to doctrines named
after men such as Calvinism, Arminianism, etc.

Church membership is not sin in that it is not
disobedience to Scripture. It is just something that has come to
exist and to be expected as part of the church that has not been
instructed in the Bible.

The pastor hired as an employee of the
congregation

God has instructed the church to support
pastors financially. However, God did not say to make the pastor
a hireling or an employee. Making the pastor an employee, has
resulted in many pastors subconsciously or intentionally being
concerned that what they say from the pulpit doesn't make someone
mad or offended. The result is a watered down teaching of the
Bible that is less "offensive" to those who want to sin or
continue in their sin. The pastor knows that if the congregation doesn't like what he says, or he does not bring the money or people in, he loses his job.

John 10:12-13 But he that is a hireling, and not
the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming,
and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them,
and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is a
hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

God's design is that the pastor be
supported by the congregation through gifts.

The pastor having a title such as Doctor, Reverend,
and Pastor.

Titles of honor and authority for the pastor are
not directed by God. Instead, God commands the opposite.

Matthew 20:25-28 But Jesus called them unto him,
and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise
dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority
upon them. (26) But it shall not be so among you, but whosoever
will be great among you, let him be your minister; (27) And
whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: (28)
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to
minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Minister - "to run on errands; an attendant,
that is, (generally) a waiter (at table or in other menial
duties); specifically a Christian teacher and pastor
(technically a deacon or deaconess): deacon, minister,
servant." Strong's Greek Dictionary

A pastor must not do things to receive honor of others -
special titles, special dress, special seats, parking, fancy or
high pulpit.

Jesus gave the example of feet washing.

A doctor's degree is a great hindrance to a pastor viewing
himself as a servant.

Matthew 23:8-11 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one
is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. (9) And
call no man your father upon the earth'. for one is your Father,
which is in heaven. (10) Neither be ye called masters: for one is
your Master, even Christ. (11) But he that is greatest among you
shall be your servant.

Rabbi - "my master, that is, Rabbi, as an
official title of honor; Master, Rabbi". Strong's Greek
Dictionary

A pastor should not use the title "Doctor", "Ph.D.", or
"Pastor 'So and so'"

Highly educated persons in the church should not be
acknowledged as such in the church. It is not beneficial to them
or the church.

Titles of honor hinder a leader from being a servant and
having humility

The relationship of pastor to the congregation is not father
to sons, but as brothers. v. 8

Mark 10:42-45 But Jesus called them to him, and
saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule
over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great
ones exercise authority upon them. (43) But so shall it not be
among you but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your
minister; (44) And whosoever of you will be the chiefest shall be
servant of all. (45) For even the Son of man came not to be
ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom
for many.

Jesus repeated this instruction that pastor is to be the
servant of the church. It is an important instruction that is
often acknowledged but ignored.

A position of honor and authority is not what the role of a
pastor is.

Administration of others and the church is not the primary
job of a pastor. He is not to exercise lordship or authority over
the church.

Luke 22:24-30 And there was also a strife among
them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. (25) And he
said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over
them, and they that exercise authority upon them are called
benefactors. (26) But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest
among you, let him be as the younger, and he that is chief, as he
that doth serve. (27) For whether is greater, he that sitteth at
meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I
am among you as he that serveth. (28) Ye are they which have
continued with me in my temptations. (29) And I appoint unto you
a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; (30) That ye may
eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones
judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

It is important that we understand the secrets of Christ's
kingdom and how it works. To a large degree the secrets of the
kingdom of God have been overlooked by the church. Understanding
the nature and organization of Christ's kingdom is important
because it is different than natural thinking and the examples
around us.
Jesus instructs us that leadership in His kingdom
is different than leadership in government or society. The
pastor's focus must not be on greatness and leadership but on
serving others. (V.27) The pastor elevates others to greatness by
serving them and showing them how to serve others. We keep from
focusing on being chief or being in a position of honor by
focusing on serving others. It is the only way to keep a proper
application of church organization and leadership.

I Corinthians 15:9-11 For I am the least of the
apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I
persecuted the church of God. (10) But by the grace of God I am
what I am and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in
vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but
the grace of God which was with me. (11) Therefore whether it
were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.

Humility of a pastor:

Realizing that he is less important than others (v.9).

Realizing that it is only by God's grace that he is who he
is. It is not his own ability or education that enables him to be
a pastor. One of the dangers of seminary education is that it
subconsciously makes a man think that he is who he is because of
what he has in education — a root of pride. Paul was more
educated than any of the other apostles, but he recognized that
his education was nothing and did not make him who he was or what
he could do.

Bible School or Seminary education for pastors

God does not instruct that being educated is one of
the qualifications for a pastor.

We do not find the example of education in the life
of Jesus

John 7:14-15 Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up
into the temple, and taught. 15 And the Jews marveled, saying,
How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?

We do not find the example of education in the life
of the disciples

Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John,
and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them,that they had been with Jesus.

God tells us education is worthless

Luke 10:21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I
thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast
hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed
them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy
sight.

Mat 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee,
O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these
things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto
babes. 26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. 27
All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth
the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save
the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal
him.

Mat 13:11-16 He answered and said unto them, Because it is
given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven,
but to them it is not given. (12) For whosoever hath, to him
shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever
hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. (13)
Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see
not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. (14)
And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which saith, By
hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye
shall see, and shall not perceive: (15) For this people's heart
is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and
their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see
with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and
should understand with their heart, and should be
converted, and I should heal them. (16) But blessed are
your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

1Co 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you
seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he
may be wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with
God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own
craftiness. 20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the
wise, that they are vain.

Paul rejected his education as worthless for
preaching the Gospel.

1 Corinthians 1:17-29 For Christ sent me not to
baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest
the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. (18) For the
preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but
unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (19) For it is
written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to
nothing the understanding of the prudent. (20) Where is the wise?
where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath
not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? (21) For after
that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it
pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that
believe. (22) For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek
after wisdom: (23) But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews
a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; (24) But unto
them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of
God, and the wisdom of God. (25) Because the foolishness of God
is wiser than men and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
(26) For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise
men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
(27) But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to
confound the wise , and God hath chosen the weak things of the
world to confound the things which are mighty; (28) And base
things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God
chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things
that are: (29) That no flesh should glory in his presence.

Preaching must not be with wisdom of words or it will make
the preaching ineffective.

Higher education does not make a pastor's preaching more
effective; in fact, the education makes it worthless! (v.
17)

The church needs to recognize that education disqualifies a
man for spiritual leadership positions in the church unless he
has renounced the value of his education like Paul did.

Verses 27, 28 say even clearer that education is worthless
for spiritual training and preaching. The educated person's
education is worthless, and what he teaches will come to
nothing.

1 Corinthians 2:1-8 And I, brethren, when I came to
you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring
unto you the testimony of God. (2) For I determined not to know
any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. (3)
And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much
trembling. (4) And my speech and my preaching was not with
enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the
Spirit and of power: (5) That your faith should not stand in the
wisdom of men, but in the power of God. (6) Howbeit we speak
wisdom among them that are perfect, yet not the wisdom of this
world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to naught. (7)
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden
wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory. (8)
Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known
it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

This is an example of what a spiritual leader should be like.
He needs to be humble and show people the power of God and that
God is real.

A pastor does not need higher education or seminary
education. It does not help his preaching or understanding. Nor
does it help others to put their faith in the power of God.

An evangelist, missionary, or pastor does not need to use
stories, jokes, or other creative things to get and keep people's
attention. Enticing words of the wisdom of men is not worth much
in showing people God's power. People's focus needs to be on the
power of God not on the attention getter. Often people will
remember the illustration, but not remember what it was
illustrating.

When a pastor uses his higher education (human reasoning) in
preaching, it leads the church to put their faith in the wisdom
of men - the pastor and those he is drawing his information from.
This subconsciously leads people to mindlessly accept the
teachings of men because these educated men are put on a pedestal
as men who know, because they are more educated than anyone else
in the church.

Higher education is more destructive to the spiritual health
of the church than it is helpful.

An elevated pulpit.

The larger the church building, the more of a
perceived necessity there appears for an elevated pulpit. But an
elevated pulpit is not instructed in Scripture. Pulpits are
usually elevated above the people and it puts the pastor at the
center of attention and importance center stage. The pastor is
not the one to be elevated in the church, but rather Jesus
Christ. In addition, when a pastor stands in a pulpit or podium,
he "shuts up" the congregation, in the sense that he speaks and
they listen and don't ask questions or make comments.

While Jesus most likely did not sit down every time He taught, it is interesting how often it mentions that Jesus sat down to speak to a group of people. In a house church, there is not a need for an elevated pulpit. The pastor can sit to deliver the message like Jesus did.

Matthew 5:1-2 And seeing the multitudes, he went up
into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came
unto him: 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

Matthew 13:1-2 The same day went Jesus out of the
house, and sat by the sea side. 2 And great multitudes
were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship,
and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

Mark 9:33-37 And he came to Capernaum: and being in
the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among
yourselves by the way? (34) But they held their peace: for by the
way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the
greatest. (35) And he sat down, and called the twelve, and
saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be
last of all, and servant of all. (36)And he took a child, and set
him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms,
he said unto them, (37) Whosoever shall receive one of such
children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive
me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

Luke 4:20-21 And he closed the book, and he gave it
again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all
them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 And he
began to say unto them, This day is this Scripture fulfilled in
your ears.

John 8:2 And early in the morning he came again
into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat
down, and taught them.

The arrangement of benches or chairs in rows facing
the elevated pulpit

This is not found in the Bible.

Special seating, parking, and or dress giving honor
to the pastor

This is not found in the Bible.

Sunday School - age graded classes for children

The conventional Sunday school is not found in
Scripture. Sunday School instead, has been patterned after the
public school system of graded education, the same system of
education that home school students have proved to be an inferior
method of education. God's command for the spiritual training of
the children is not Sunday School but for each father to train
his own children in the way of the Lord.

Sunday Schools became popular because fathers were
not training their children, and the children were Biblically
illiterate. Instead of giving the fathers the tools and training
that they needed to train their children, the Church took over
the fathers' God-given responsibility. Men, by their very nature,
if they allow others to take some of their responsibility, tend
to turn the entire responsibility over to others. The Sunday
school appeared to be the answer. Children learned more about the
Bible. But as the years have passed, the Church as a whole has
moved further away from the Bible, and become more like the
world. We are now at a point where a survey from the Barna
Research Group has found that the beliefs and practices among
born again Christians are basically no different from
non-Christians. We have come full circle with the Sunday school
and the children in the Sunday school are little different than
those who do not attend Sunday school. The answer is not to
reform the Sunday school which is based on the wrong method of
spiritual education of children, but to return the responsibility
of the spiritual education of the children to their father.

Age segregated adult groups

God does not instruct the church to put people in
the congregation into groups according to their age. Instead of
age segregation, there needs to be interaction between the age
groups. God instructs older men to teach the younger men and the
older women to teach the younger women.

Youth Groups

Youth groups are not instructed in
Scripture, yet almost every church has a youth group. The youth
group, by separating the young people from their parents, and
placing them with their peers causes them to have their hearts
drawn toward those their own age rather than toword their
parents. There are serious spiritual consequences when young
people's hearts are taken away from their parents. God tells us
in Malachi 4:5-6: "Behold, I will send you Elijah
the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of
the LORD: 6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the
children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse."

Children's Church

God has not instructed that the children be
separated from the rest of the church. Church programs usually
separate children into their own group so the adults can have the
important part without distraction. The children grow up not
being included in the rest of the church. In many churches the
children's growing up years are spent in children's church,
Sunday school, and later the youth group. When they become adults
they do not really feel a part of the church and many leave.

Luke 9:46-48 Then there arose a reasoning among
them, which of them should be greatest. (47) And Jesus,
perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set
him by him, (48) And said unto them, Whosoever shall
receive this child in my name receiveth me, and whosoever shall
receive me receiveth him that sent me, for he that is least among
you all, the same shall be great.

Children are a very important part of the church not the
least important. They are the future of the church.

Mat 21:15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the
wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the
temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore
displeased, 16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say?
And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the
mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise

Luke 17:2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged
about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should
offend one of these little ones.

Jesus says that receiving Christ means turning our hearts
toward the children and including them in the church
service.

A pastor needs to receive, accept, children.

Receiving children is a prerequisite for receiving Christ and
the Father (Luke 9:48). This shows the importance of a person's
heart being turned toward children. It is of equal importance as
receiving Christ. This explains why John the Baptist's mission
was to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children.

A pastor that does not see the importance of receiving
children, cannot truly help others develop a close relationship
with Christ or the Father.

Mark 10:13-14 And they brought young children to
him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those
that brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much
displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to
come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of
God.

A nursery

There is no instruction in Scripture to remove
babies and small children from their parents during the worship
service.

A Christian School

The closest example in the Bible of a Christian
School for children, is the Jewish school system in Jesus' day
that produced the scribes and Pharisees whom Jesus called
hypocrites. That school produced men who did not know who God
was. When God came in person (Jesus), they rejected what God had
to say to them and ridiculed Him. They killed Jesus because their
spiritual understanding was so destroyed and made foolish by
their religious education.

It is interesting to note that neither Jesus nor
John the Baptist were educated in the Jewish school system. If
Jesus had been educated in the Jewish schools, He would have
provided an example for us to use that method of education
today.

Jesus — John 7:15 And the Jews marveled, saying, How
knoweth this man letters, having never learned?

John the Baptist - Luke 1:80 And the child grew, and waxed
strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his
showing unto Israel.

Entertainment - music, drama, videos, etc.

God has not instructed us to use entertainment in
the church. Much of the entertainment in churches today is music
and art forms borrowed from the world and brought into the church
building. The purpose of the Church, as believers, is to worship
and give glory and honor to Jesus. When the focus is put on
"going tochurch" (the building and the activities of the
building), entertainment is often used to attract people into the
building to increase and keep attendance.

Music Styles Borrowed from the World and used to
Worship God

God's instruction in Scripture about the music used to worship Him, is to sing a new song to Him, not to borrow music styles that have been used to worship Satan or that have been used for worldly entertainment. Many have brought the world's music, rock, rap, new age, ethnic music, etc. into the church in an attempt to win people to Christ. God tells us to do the opposite to win people to Christ; we are to sing a new song. Psalms 40:3: "And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD." We are not to use worship music borrowed from the world in the church to worship God. That includes hymn tunes borrowed from the world.

The contrast of singing a new song and music borrowed from the world is given to us in Psalms 144:7-12: "Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children; 8 Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood. 9 I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee. 10 It is he that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword. 11 Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood: 12 That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace:" One of the results that people are discovering as rock music is removed from the lives of young people, and is replaced by good Godly music, is that there is an increased brightness of the
young people's eyes and countenance, which is what God tells us
will happen in verse 12. The right music is an important part of
ensuring the spiritual maturity of the young people in the
church.

God is a musical God and enjoys music. Music is a
very important part of worshiping God. However, God tells us that
not all music is acceptable to Him, and that some music that is
used to worship Him; He hates and wants it removed from the
church. Amos 5:21-23 "I hate, I despise your feast days, and I
will not smell in your solemn assemblies. 22 Though ye offer me
burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them:
neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. 23
Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not
hear the melody of thy viols." If God hates our music that we
have in the church, it is not worship music and is worthless.

Much of the rise of borrowing music from the world
has been fostered by the poor quality of music and singing in the
church in the past. Hymns sung too slowly and in unison are not
enjoyable to listen to. The music in the church should not be
poor quality. Instead, we need ask God for new songs and hymns
that are even better than the hymns of the past. We need to ask
God how to play musical instruments the way He wants us to play
them that produces the best music in the world. The music that
the church has, the new song, should be such good music that it
draws the world to Christ (Ps. 40:3).

Sports - a gym, organized ball teams, etc.

We are not to bring the idols of the world into the
Church. It only creats a distraction from a deeper relationship
with our Heavenly Father.

Church Growth Emphasis - building a large or larger
congregation

An emphasis or focus on building a large or larger
congregation is not found in Scripture. God tells us that a
pastor is not to focus on numbers. Instead he needs to focus on
planting the seed and watering it. Then God gets credit for the
increase not the pastor.

1 Corinthians 3:5-8 Who then is Paul, and who is
Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave
to every man? 6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the
increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing,
neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now
he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man
shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.

John 13:13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say
well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and
Master, have washed your feet ye also ought to wash one another's
feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I
have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant
is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater
than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye
if ye do them.

It is interesting looking at this passage from the
perspective as applying to pastors. The last supper was in
actuality a ministers meeting, not a meeting of all of Jesus'
followers. There is often a lot of competition between pastors
today as each pastor tries to build up his own congregation. Each
pastor is concerned that people from his congregation will go to
a neighboring congregation. Jesus instructs these spiritual
leaders that they were to help one another and serve one another
(wash each other's feet). We are all working for Christ's
Kingdom, not to build our own congregation. We need to help other
congregations achieve that purpose.

Imagine how much could be accomplished for Christ's
Kingdom if pastors worked together and helped each other (washed
the other pastor's feet), rather than each one trying to build
their own church.

House churches of the New Testament time period
would have helped reduce the competition between pastors because
the size of the congregation was limited to the size of the
house. That promoted multiplication of congregations. When a
congregation meets in a church building, competition becomes more
of a factor because the size of the building can be more readily
increased.

In Conclusion

Much of what defines what the conventional
building-based church in America is, how people are fed
spiritually, and how money is spent by the church, is not found
in Scripture. It is not God's design for the church, but instead
it is man's design. You will notice that we did not address the
feedlot-style of spiritual feeding found in most churches, that
will be addressed in part two. In part two of "Totally Rethinking
Church" we will look at God's design for the church and what we
can do to pattern the church after His design.

In the fall of 2007, Willow Creek church released the results of
their three million dollar research into the effectiveness of
their church program and 30 other churches. They were shocked to
find that they were not bringing people to spiritual maturity.
What they thought would produce spiritual maturity was not. They
believed that the more people participated in church programs the
greater spiritual maturity it would produce. They found that the
amount of involvement in church programs had no correlation with
the depth of someone’s spiritual maturity. What makes this
mistake so significant is that Willow Creek is a church that has
12,000 churches in their Willow Creek Association, and has taught
thousands of pastors how to “do church” to produce
church growth. To some degree, Willow Creek Church has influenced
how most churches today “do church”. “And if
the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.”
(Matthew 15:14)

What is the answer to helping people come to maturity in
Christ? Take another look at the Great Commission. The answer is
there. We have been focusing on the first part of the commission
– evangelism – and have overlooked the second half
thinking we know what it is saying. But look again at what Jesus
says in giving us the Great Commission: “Go ye therefore,
and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to
observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo,
I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world.
Amen.” (Matthew 28:19) The missing key to spiritual
maturity is teaching others Christ’s commands in the New
Testament and teaching them to follow the commands. An excellent
subject for Bible study is to take each of Christ’s
commands and study them. There is a list of Christ’s commands on this website.

Discipleship, Spiritual Maturity, and Christ’s Commands

Jesus defines a disciple as one who follows His commands. A person who is spiritually mature is one who knows Christ’s teachings in the New Testament and who follows them with all his or her heart, soul, mind and strength. The following passages of Scripture over and over stress the importance of doing what Jesus says to do:

Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and [that] your joy might be full. 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

1 Corinthians 7:19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

2 Corinthians 2:9 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.

Galatians 5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? 8 This persuasion [cometh] not of him that calleth you. 9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

1 Thessalonians 4:1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort [you] by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, [so] ye would abound more and more. 2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.

Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny [him], being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Hebrews 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

The most significant subject facing the Church: The Bible and what has been removed, added and changed in modern translations in the name of scholarship. When two different translations say different things, which one is truth?

There are a lot of false teachings about the head covering, false teachings that have been passed from commentary to commentary, from professor to student, from pastor to lay person. We have heard them so often many believe them to be true, but research shows clearly that they are false.

There are a whole range of English Bible translations to choose from, and more keep coming out. Which Bible translation is the best one to study, meditate on, and use for our guide in faith and practice?

Singing is a very essential part of our worship of God and needs to be a part of every house church. Our desire is to help you as best we can to make a beautiful, joyful sound in singing praises to our God. God loves singing, and loves to hear us sing praises to Him.

Millions of Christians in the last several years are totally rethinking what ’church’ is and are looking for a deeper relationship with Christ. Much of what defines what the conventional church is, how people are fed spiritually, and how money is spent by the church does not have a specific basis in Scripture.

The practical application of the Bible, the real meat, for us as Christians is Christ’s Commands. Learn how to carry out the second half of the Great Commission - ’Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.’

The church has a lot of ’answers’ about divorce and remarriage, but still many people feel like they don’t have God’s answer. After doing the research for this report, I had to ask, ’Why didn’t we see this before?’

There is a debate among Christians: Is music itself amoral? That question, while appropriate to ask, is actually viewing music from the wrong perspective, or more specifically from too limited a perspective. It is amazing how much of the debate centers around the opinions of people and very little is based on the Bible.

The songs that we sing and listen to permanently shape our understanding of who God is and what the Christian life is all about. Educators readily recognize that information in song form is easier to remember. Songs that children learn are remembered the rest of their lives.

The answer for the Spiritual education of our children in the home church. In the House church we have the freedom to look at what God’s design is for the spiritual education of the children and implement that rather than feeling like we have to make our home church a small replica of the conventional Sunday school.

The most significant subject facing the Church: The Bible and what has been removed, added and changed in modern translations in the name of scholarship. When two different translations say different things, which one is truth?